JASON Perkins and Pamboy Raymundo hit timely baskets down the stretch as Cignal-San Beda turned back Tanduay, 89-86, in Game Two of the PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup semifinals on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Hawkeyes blew a 12-point lead but recovered to force a deciding match on Tuesday.
Tanduay dropped 19 points to open the fourth period, the last eight from Lester Alvarez, to tie the game at 77.
Back-to-back triples by Perkins put Cignal on top for good, 83-80.
Raymundo nailed a floater before Robert Bolick made two from the foul line with 10.4 ticks to go.
In the final play, Mark Cruz's three-point attempt was short.
Perkins topscored for the Hawkeyes with 15 points to go with five rebounds.
Ben Adamos scored 13 and had 13 rebounds, while Bolick also had 13 points.
"It's another day to live It's really the boys who stepped up today even thoug it's really tough to play Tanduay," said Cignal coach Boyet Fernandez.
Jaymo Eguilos paced the Rhum Masters with 18 points and six rebounds.
Alvarez had 15 points, including 10 in the payoff period for Tanduay.
The scores:
Cignal 89 - Perkins 15, Adamos 13, Bolick 13, Potts 12, Raymundo 11, Bringas 8, Arboleda 5, Mocon 5, Arong 4, Villarias 3, Batino 0, Oftana 0.
Tanduay 86 - Eguilos 18, Alvarez 15, Sanga 11, Quinto 9, Cruz 8, Gaco 8, Santos 6, Palma 5, Varilla 3, Vigil 3.
Quarterscores: 21-21; 45-38; 70-58; 89-86.